Music
24 Apr 25

UK counter-terrorism police are reviewing KNEECAP concert footage

Kneecap. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

"It’s an extremely strong position for young people to take, especially young people from a working-class background," the band's manager said of their Coachella performance.

Footage of a KNEECAP concert from November of last year is being reviewed by UK counter-terrorism police.

Recordings of the London show depict one performer shouting, “Up Hamas” and “Up Hezbollah.” The rap trio made headlines earlier this week for their Friday Coachella performance, displaying visuals on stage that read “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine.”

Hamas and Hizballah are terrorist groups which pose a threat to civilians around the world including here in the UK. That is why they are proscribed and it is illegal to support them. It is therefore shocking to see a performer actively show support for these groups on stage at a… https://t.co/ePkalbbuzw

— Jewish Leadership Council (@JLC_uk) April 23, 2025

“We were made aware of a video on Tuesday, 22 April and it has been referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required,” a police spokesperson said in a statement to The Journal.

In the UK, it is against the law to “invite support” or “express an opinion or belief that is supportive” for anything on their list of proscribed terrorist organisations, which includes Hamas and Hezbollah. Penalties may include a fine or a prison sentence.

“Hamas and Hizballah are terrorist groups which pose a threat to civilians around the world including here in the UK,” wrote the Jewish Leadership Council on X. “That is why they are proscribed and it is illegal to support them. It is therefore shocking to see a performer actively show support for these groups on stage at a London venue.”

KNEECAP responded to the controversy on X, sharing a headline that read, “18-Months Of Genocide Footage Not Under Investigation By UK Counter-Terror Police.”

Some facts 👇 pic.twitter.com/hoVZrqg1hl

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 24, 2025

The group's manager, Daniel Lambert, appeared on RTÉ's Drivetime to discuss their Coachella performance.

"If somebody is hurt by the truth, that’s something for them to be hurt by, but it’s really important to speak truth,” he said. “Thankfully the lads are not afraid to do that.”